Tales of Gold Men: The Industrial War

[GoldMan27]

Hi everyone,

So, this is basically going to be an ongoing thing (possibly, I don't know quite yet), where I will have these "Tales of Gold Men", which basically outline a specific realm from the Gold Man lore and go in depth about the characters in that realm in such. I don't know if this will be a consistent thing yet, but I figured I'd call it this for now (if I decide for this to be a one-shot, I'll probably rename it).

Anyways, without further ado, The Industrial War!

Spoiler: Chapter 1

It was a grey, cloudy day in the city of Baskerville. The factories and their tall, slim smokestacks puffing out clouds of smoke, among other toxins, as the Industrial Revolution powered on with gears and electric whirring of motors. All, however, was never quiet in Baskerville, not because of the factories that pressed out computer parts, or steel structuring, but because the bombardments of the frontline could be heard several miles away. Ever since the Industrial Revolution started, men craved the breakthroughs that occurred, from computing machines to powerful weapons, to fully automated robots and flying machines. However, some men were wise to this and began to fund their own companies, so that those who wished to tinker could tinker to their hearts content, and produce results. In this way, the realm of business was divided. There was the Mechanical Monarchy, a union of businessmen, engineers, and scientists who fought for Queen and Country. And then there was the Scientific Coalition, defectors to the Crown who looked to science and technology to overthrow the Queen, as they believed their power was great enough to lead the country alone. Although these are the two sides in this ongoing war, there are many who blur the lines in this conflict. Companies such as the Holdema Automata Company, or Coltsworth Munitions Company, were the main powerhouses who funded both sides of the war through war profiteering, offering their help with weapons and machinery, among other advances. However, all that changed when Coltsworth Munitions Company was caught offering weapons to the Mechanical Monarchy, thereby severing their ties with the Scientific Coalition.

At least, that was what Adam himself was told. Adam Coltsworth, only son and heir to the Coltsworth Munitions Co., which was run by his father, Charles-James Coltsworth, otherwise known as "C.J. Coltsworth" in the media. His father was seen as a kind, benevolent, and caring father outside of business practices, for those that saw him not doing business. Adam himself, however, was very shy, and due to being the target he was, was never allowed to attend a public school. He was homeschooled all the way from 1st grade to high school and made little to no friends in that time. At least, none that he would remember.

"Adam, it's time we go meet with your father. We shouldn't stay out here too long", said a robotic voice.

"I know, Bert, I just wish I could run away from it all. The conflict, the factories, all of it. Perhaps pursue outside the country!" Adam exclaimed.

"Your father said that as an heir to the Coltsworth throne, you should not trouble yourself with such freedoms, since when you inherit the company, you will be able to travel all over the world", replied Bert.

"I know, but it's just not the same, Bert. I want to visit places like New India, or the Northern States, and just be myself! I don't want to be there because of business", said Adam.

"We can discuss this later if you wish, Adam, but we must go now", stated Bert.

"Very well, Bert, lead the way", said Adam, in an upset mood.

Spoiler: Chapter 2

Adam was brought to the main hall of the grand estate he and his father were staying at. At the center, Adam could see his dad conversing with fellow military leaders, no doubt about weapons and tactics. Suddenly, his father looked past one of the men in the crowd and noticed Adam, alongside his massive bodyguard Bert.

Bert, otherwise known as BRT-27, was a heavy defence turned bodyguard robot, built and programmed by the Holdema Automata Corporation. He was a larger-than-life robot that utilized one wheel to get around, however, had two massive arms that could help aid him when climbing over structures and the like. Alongside his copper-colored, steel-grey patched body, was eight large missile pods mounted on his right shoulder, capable of destroying anything from tanks to aircraft. Although some would consider Bert to be overkill for a bodyguard, Adam's father wanted him to have an able-bodied, large and intimidating figure that could protect his weak, slim figure of a son.

And slim his son was.

"Ah, Adam! How are you enjoying the base?" His father asked.

"The base seems very big, father", replied his son, "although I think having Bert with me is a bit much for how far away we are from the battlefront. I can barely hear the artillery shells in the distance."

"Now, now, son, "said his father, "we can never be too careful. What if an assassin were to infiltrate the base and see you in a wide open space like this? He would have no complications to take both you and I out in two hits from a rifle."

"I know, father, " said Adam, "but what are the chances anyone is going to get past that large front? It has 24-hour surveillance, meaning there's no way somebody can get past that front without getting shot at."

"That may be true, my son," replied the father, "however like I said, we can never be too careful about this. There are those that wish to kill us for what we stand for and who we support. And, my heart would be broken if I were the one to live and you were the one to die. I wouldn't have anyone to hand the company over to except the board, and the uncertainty of what they could do with our company without our presence is what scares me. I want you to take over for me when I pass away, son."

"I will father, in due time I will," said Adam, as if it were a programmed response.

"Good to hear from you, son", said his father. "Now then, General Brachaus here will lead us to the war front, so that we may honor the troops with our presence, and words of motivation. Come along, my son," he said as he gestured Adam to follow him.

The two of them entered an automobile with fine leather seating in the main cabin. It had room for four in the back, plus an additional 2 with the driver and a passenger in the front cabin. General Brachaus sat in the front with a driver, while Adam, his father, an aide, and Bert, all sat in the back. The car was off to the front, and with them, a path that would change Adam's life forever.

Additional chapters 3 and 4 are posted below.

 

[GoldMan27]

Spoiler: Chapter 3

During the car ride to the front, there wasn't much that was interesting to Adam. His father and General Brachaus talked a lot on the ride up, while Adam and Bert remained relatively silent on the trip to the front. When they arrived, they were greeted by the Mechanical Monarchy's 428th Defence Battalion, a regiment that was trained strictly for defensive combat, not for assault. These were the brave men and women who kept the Scientific Coalition at bay from pushing their influence elsewhere in the country. While their presence there may have boosted morale for the troops, Adam was not enjoying himself all that much. He had to constantly stand around, have photos taken with his dad and other troops, and simply be there to act as a figurehead for Coltsworth Munitions' owner and founder. When he wasn't standing around having his picture taken, he was in the mess tent to eat his meals, while his father was surrounded by fellow high-ranking soldiers and other important staff. After the action died down in the late afternoon to early evening, they left the front to return back to the HQ situated in Baskerville where they stayed.

"Well, son, what did you think of the visit to the front? Might exciting, eh?" his father asked with amusement.

"It was alright I guess", Adam said. "It was cool to see all the weapons we produced have use out there and to see how many troops it takes just to hold a front line. Though I didn't like that I had to stand around and have my picture taken all day."

"Ah my son, that's the price of popularity," said his father. "Because we are so popular, people want to have photos of us, so they can look back many years from now, and say, 'I fought in that battle, and I even got a photo of a businessman and his son to prove it'! I know you didn't like you had to stand for so long, but you'll have to get used to it."

Adam looked out to the window in the boredom of his father's conversation.

"Tell you what son," said his father, "when we get back, I have a big surprise for you. I believe you'll absolutely enjoy this! Oh, you'll be so happy, you'll--"

Suddenly, the driver of the car was shot by a bullet from an unknown location, causing the driver to lose control immediately, swerving the car off to the side of the road, and into a nearby ditch. Although the driver was killed, everyone else in the car was safe.

"Sniper! Get down!" yelled General Brachaus from the front seat.

Everyone in the back immediately got down to the floor of the car to avoid being seen by the sniper, as several shots were heard to hit the glass of the back seat, and with the aide being hit by a ricochet.

"Get out of the car! I'll draw his fire!" yelled General Brachaus.

Adam, his father, and Bert proceeded to evacuate the car from the side opposite of the sniper while General Brachaus could be heard firing his pistol several times to draw fire towards him. He quickly bailed the front seat of the car and met up with the trio in the ditch.

"Alright, you have to run for that bridge," said Brachaus, "after that there is tall grass on either side, so the sniper shouldn't be able to see you from here to the city. I'll draw his fire by shooting out the engine of the car, the resulting smoke plume should be enough to alert the base that we were under attack. Bert, you fire your missiles to draw out the sniper with me. Keep firing them towards his location until they are across the bridge, after that, follow them. Alright?"

"Understood, General, " said Mr. Coltsworth.

"As you wish, sir", said Bert.

"Alright, GO!" exclaimed Brachaus.

Spoiler: Chapter 4

The plan was in motion. Bert fired off a volley of rockets towards where he believed the sniper to be, while General Brachaus fired bullets at the car's hood, in hopes to ignite the engine. The first few shots ricocheted off the hood, as he forgot the car's body was nearly bulletproof. He then proceeded to open a panel of the engine hood, so he could get a few shots into the engine. Meanwhile, Adam and his father had made a run for it towards the bridge. When they thought they were out of sniper range, Bert fired off a final volley of rockets as he made his escape to the bridge. However, just as Brachaus was about to fire at the engine, the sniper took him out. Just as Brachaus squeezed the trigger of his pistol with his dying heartbeat, he fired a final bullet right into the engine, causing a small flame, that moments later, ignited into a massive fire with a large plume of smoke that could be seen for miles around.

However, all was not right. Suddenly, four men appeared from beneath the bridge and ambushed them. Their first target was to take out Bert, which they temporarily succeeded in doing so by zapping him with a stun prod. Bert fell to the ground with a large thud, leaving Adam and his father completely vulnerable, as the four men trained their guns on them.

"Mr. Coltsworth, how good to see you 'ere, yes?" asked one of the four men. This man was undoubtedly their leader.

"I'll have you know, felons, I do not intend to die first before my son", said Mr. Coltsworth. "If your intent is to harm us, harm me before you harm him. I only ask that my son lives through this."

"You don't have any jurisdiction 'ere, sir", said the leader. "We have orders to kill the lot of ya, orders handed down by--"

"Shhh!" exclaimed one of the other men, "Don't bother telling 'em! They won't be alive long enough to know anyways!

The men suddenly laughed at their cohort's response.

"Eh, you're right, Jesse," said, the leader, "they don't need to know who killed 'em. They just need to know we killed 'em."

Suddenly, Bert awoke from his unconsciousness, seeing Adam and his father were being held at gunpoint. Without thinking, Bert charged at the man closest to Mr. Coltsworth, knocking him over the railing and down into the stream below.

"Go. Now," said Bert.

Adam and his father made a run in an attempt to get on the other side of the bridge while Bert held off the other three attackers. They almost made it across the bridge, when suddenly, Adam heard what sounded like a body fall behind him.

He turned around and witnessed a horrific sight. Right in the back of his father's head, lie a black hole, with blood pouring out from his face.

He had been shot in the head. He was dead.

And just like that, Adam fell over on his knees in complete and utter shock, witness to the fact his father was no longer living, and now lie as a corpse on a bridge. An unfortunate casualty of war. Tears streamed down his face, and he bent over on his father's corpse, crying loudly for the loss of his father. He had never known of his mother, nor his grandparents, nor any other relatives. His father was the only family he had known in this world, and he had left him for good now.

After a few minutes of crying, Adam looked up and saw Bert standing over him, looking down at Adam. He saw in the distance the attackers were briefly unconscious and were starting to wake up again, ready for a second round.

"We must go, Adam," said Bert. "We must flee this place. We must leave this world."

"No," said Adam, with tears on his face. "No, no, no, no, no, no! We can't leave him here!"

"You leave me no choice, Adam," said Bert.

Suddenly, Bert's body opened to reveal a large tube inside of it. Adam knew what it was. It was an experimental, cryogenic deep-freeze chamber. Although it was an experimental device, it was rumored to preserve a human's body and mind for many years. Some of the wealthy folk from his city had even bought their own cryogenic chambers, in the event the war escalated to such heights where the deep freeze was the only way to preserve life.

"Very well, Bert," said Adam as he wiped his tears from his face, walking into the chamber, "take good care of me."

"I will, Adam," said Bert, as he closed the chamber. "I always do."

Suddenly, a portal opened in the floor of the bridge, of which Bert had activated. He proceeded to jump through the portal, closing it behind him as he did. The attackers all came to and were awake as they saw Bert jump through the portal.

"Dangit! We let 'em get away!" complained one of the attackers.

"Don't worry, Sean", said the leader, "be glad we even got the old guy. With the boy and his robot gone, Coltsworth Munitions will crumble."

"That's what you think," said Jesse. "Let's go inform the Coalition of our 'success', if you feel so happy about it."

They then left the scene, leaving the corpse of C.J. Coltsworth on the bridge for the Mechanical Monarchy to pick up when they arrived. Unaware where Adam Coltsworth and his bodyguard Bert had landed...

To be continued?